When Joshua had dismissed his people to return to their inheritance some felt that it was time and most appropriate to appreciate God. What is the role or significance of appreciating God after he has led us through battles which we never dreamt of facing let alone to win with an overwhelming victory?
Some of the tribes did with reasons. Some also conspired against those who desired to show gratitude to God for his wondrous works in their lives. No matter the vilification and accusation and however founded, God continues to provide and assure his own with his divine security. This is the heritage of Israel. Jesus said in Matthew 12:25 that every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. See also Mark 3:25 and Luke 11:17.
Showing gratitude for repossession
Any time that God restores us to our possession, we must show thanks and gratitude to him. In Joshua 22:10 the Reubenites, the Gadites and the Manassites built a great altar for the Lord in remembrance and appreciation and as a memorial for what God had done for them. They had a sense of gratitude towards God. Do we have any sense of gratitude towards God in substance? Psalms 104:1 says bless the Lord, O my soul! Whenever we show gratitude to God, we draw near to him and God will draw near to us, James 4:8.
It is by grace that God gives us the opportunity to return to our possession which is all or anything that God has given to us. They include health, healing, deliverance, restoration, and all that gives us peace, joy and happiness and all that we hope for. It demonstrates God’s infinite love for us in spite of our rebellion against him through sin. Whenever we are given this divine privilege, the enemy is always unhappy about it yet God does not withdraw it because of Jesus Christ our Lord and intercessor. What can we sacrifice for the Lord in appreciation?
God’s security during repossession
The rest of Israel wanted to make war against the Reubenites, Gadites and the Manasites for building a great altar for the Lord which was separate from the altar of the Lord that stood before the tabernacle although they did not first enquire the reason but on their own imaginations and thoughts, Joshua 22:11. However upon enquiring the reasons, in Joshua 22:33, God spoke no more making wars against them, to destroy the land where the Reubenites and the Gadites were settled.
A number of our feuds are based on fights from within our members not based on truth or facts but on imaginations and suspicions. As children of God born and adopted as sons and daughters through Christ Jesus, our only source of inquiry must be the truth upon which God will protect us and our possession. We are too inferior in battle, limited in knowledge of spiritual warfare; bereft of wisdom; blinded in vision; and unsettled in faith to fight the battles on our own or with our own strength. Our possession or the right through Christ to return to them is offensive and envious to many acting for the enemy.
What battles do we encounter in our daily lives? It is only God through Christ Jesus who can weather the storms. Anytime we face challenges in reclaiming or enjoying our divine possession, God says in Psalms 50:15 that call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me. Jeremiah 29:12 says then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. Jesus said in John 15:5 that for apart from me you can do nothing. Romans 10:13 says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. We must exercise faith and patience without giving up on Jesus Christ.
Do we also on the other hand cause troubles, divisions, unnecessary anger based on unverified facts? Let us call on Christ Jesus now to intervene for us. What do we have to repossess? What security do we have? What is the source of the security? Have we shown any gratitude to God? What is the nature of gratitude? Jesus is waiting for us to do what he expects of us.
Joshua’s gratitude was expressed in Joshua 24:15 by his total surrender to God. Joshua said that if you be unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Jesus wants appreciation for he said in Luke 17:17 did I not heal ten of you, where are the nine?
Join us to choose Christ Jesus for our appreciation, honour and security during our repossession in his glorious name.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, we appreciate you for giving us an opportunity to repossess our inheritance and possession. Lead us to preserve your conditions in our hearts by your precious blood, Amen!!
